The potential for sustainable waste management and energy recovery in Bangladesh: A review

[Display omitted] •WtE is a promising technology for waste reduction and energy generation.•AD emerged as the most sustainable choice for developing countries.•AI enables sustainable resource recovery & renewable energy solutions.•WtE faces challenges in environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Bangladesh's rapid development, fueled by fossil fuels, has led to substantial energy demands and significant waste generation, with each of its 166 million people producing 450 gm of waste daily. This mismanaged waste poses economic and environmental threats. This review proposes waste-to-energy (WtE) solutions to address these challenges, highlighting their potential in waste reduction and energy generation. Thermal, biochemical, chemical, and mechanical conversion techniques are explored, with gasification, pyrolysis, and anaerobic digestion identified as more environmentally friendly alternatives (33%, 65%, and 111% improvement, respectively) compared to conventional incineration. The paper comprehensively addresses the current waste management situation, challenges, and prospects of WtE in Bangladesh, incorporating the role of AI technology. This information is crucial for decision-makers, planners, waste management organizations, and researchers, offering insights into the existing status, challenges, and technological prospects in municipal solid waste management and WtE in Bangladesh.